Oswego County officials warn senior citizens of telephone scams

Oswego County, NY -- Senior citizens in Oswego County are being warned to not pay attention to calls asking them to wire money to help a relative in trouble.

The Oswego County Office for the Aging said office officials have received calls from seniors who said they have received suspicious calls from people asking them to wire money.

"These scams have several common elements: An emergency call for financial help for something such as a car crash, medical emergency or trouble with the law. This is followed by a request to send thousands of dollars by wire transfer using something like Western Union. There is usually a request to keep the call confidential, and not to tell parents or other family members," said Larry Schmidt, director of the Office for the Aging.

Anyone who receives such a phone call should immediately report it to their local police.